Designed by ubiquitous local architects Harman Deutsch, these structures will come with a 2-car rear garage with decks on top, as well as the firm’s idiosyncratic design. We’ll have more details as and we learn about them!

Shame about the façade, but may we recommend its location? Just off the Italian Market, the single most awesome business district in a city stuffed with awesome business districts, chock full of fresh, delicious, local produce, meats, and cheeses. And we couldn’t forget about all that excellent Vietnamese food down on Washington! Mmmm food heaven…

Bella Vista’s Triangle Park, at the intersection of 6th and Christian Streets and Passyunk Avenue, is a small, beautiful plot of green in a neighborhood boasting several small, beautiful plots of green. It, however, also sits satisfyingly right in the middle of the neighborhood, surrounded by beautiful houses, cafés, and other small business.

Oh, and it’s privately owned.

That’s why the owner fenced it in earlier this summer, in an “attempt to signal its availability”, despite its half-decade of cheerful local use, much to the displeasure of the neighborhood–a neighborhood which has been working to acquire the parcel so it can stay a park ever and anon…

The overgrown site. Courtesy Naked Philly

But wait, there’s more! According to this Naked Philly piece, the parcel was a gas station before the community covered it with greenery. And gas station sites tend to have nasty underground surprises, particularly for verdanture atop. Environmental sampling and (likely) remediation has to be done before the property can be conveyed, which has to happen before the fencing can come down–remediation which would also destroy the landscaping already in place.

Traditionally suburban home developer Toll Brothers–of Naval Square fame–has set its sights on Society Hill, with a 69 unit, 68 feet tall condo unit by Headhouse Square, in the NewMarket site, as Plan Philly reports. With red brick and limestone wainscoting, this structure is deeply respectful of its historic surroundings.

Designed and contracted in-house, this project will also feature a small public space on the Headhouse Square side. Take a look at the renders and see for yourself.

Nevertheless, some near neighbors remain opposed to the structure: parking and sunlight issues have been brought up. Considering the rather vexed history of this site, we here are crossing our fingers and hoping everything gets worked out, and they are allowed to build.

Six contenders have emerged in the fight for the city’s second gaming license. Three of these contenders would bring Philadelphia’s newest casino to South Philadelphia.

Stadium Casino L.L.C is proposing to add a $425 to $500 million casino to the stadium district. Penn National would also bring the casino to South Philadelphia at a proposed site at nearby 700 Packer Avenue. The third is PHL Local Gaming L.L.C proposing a $367 million casino and hotel on either side of the 3300 block of South Front Street. At first, the only contender for that coveted gaming license had been Burt Blatstein of Tower Development who proposed his $700 million, French style casino and gaming complex for North Broad Street. Other contenders are Wynn Resorts for the Delaware River waterfront in Fishtown and the Goldenberg Group for the surface parking lot once proposed for DisneyQuest development at Eighth and Market Streets.

The casino would be added to the already existing Holiday Inn located at 900 Packer Avenue. Green and Cordish president Joe Weinberg described the advantages of this Packer Avenue locale:

• It sits at the heart of an entertainment and sports district that attracts 8.5 million to 10 million visitors per year.

• It has easy access to I-76 and I-95.

• It will capture a new market – those attending events at the three sports facilities, as well as patrons of Xfinity Live! – rather than cannibalize the local gambling market now served by SugarHouse on the Delaware River waterfront

Stadium Casino L.L.C plans to add a 200,000 square-foot casino and entertainment complex at the front of the Holiday Inn. Although the 10 story hotel would remain intact, it would be redesigned as an upscale boutique hotel under a different brand. The group will own both the hotel and casino that would house 2,000 slot machines and 125 table games. The complex also would feature fitness and spa facilities, a pool, six restaurants, a live music venue, a rooftop party deck, and a parking garage with about 2,500 spaces.

Penn National would be opening Hollywood Casino Philadelphia. This proposed plan would include a 100,000-square-foot casino floor with 2,050 slot machines, 66 live table games, and a 15-table poker room.

“Given the rising number of recent proposed gaming projects that have not been completed for financial reasons, we believe Penn National’s financial strength and proven ability to complete projects on schedule make us the ideal operator to develop this new gaming and entertainment facility in Philadelphia,” said chairman and chief executive Peter Carlino.

The third application and last for South Philadelphia was filed late on the day of the deadline by PHL Local Gaming L.L.C.. PHL Local Gaming L.L.C represents the interests of Joseph G. Procacci, founder and chief executive of Procacci Brothers Sales Corporation.

The gaming hall would be called Casino Revolution and feature 2,000 slot machines, 85 table games, a 250-room hotel, restaurants and an entertainment arena.

Here below are all new Philadelphia price changes updated to the MLS for the past seven days. Zip codes focused on are 19106, 19107, 19147, and 19148. If you have any questions or comments about the information listed below, please feel free to call Larry Levin at 267.808.6565

The Meredith Auction is taking place on Saturday, March 2nd. Ticket sales begin on January 7th for this annual event. Tickets include dinner, open bar and entertainment by DJ Johnny Looch! Check out the Auction Website for more details. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Purchase your tickets by January 31st and receive 5 iPad raffle tickets with each purchase. Mark your calendars for a fabulous Mardi Gras night on Saturday, March 2nd which will include a silent and live auction. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for parents interested in helping. If you would like to donate or solicit an auction item, please use this auction donation form. Please contact Donielle at doniellecal@comcast.net and Rebecca atrmakuen@yahoo.com to get involved and help make this event a success.

Gayborhood Event Promoters Workshop

Join a panel of professional promoters share their experainced, tips and tricks of the trade to help you become a better promoter. Workshop will include a panel presentation, Q/A, group discussion and lunch. Duration is approximently bout three hours plus time to network with other promoters. Event includes lunch thanks to Wolf Street Catering. Reserve Tickets online – HERE.

Abandoned Bikes can be reported using this GOOGLE DOC link. You can also use 311 to report abandoned bikes to the City of Philadelphia according to thisrecent announcement. For more information, email Andrew Levitt at levitt.andrew@gmail.com coordinating this effort with the Bicycle Coalition and City.